Students engineer science competition result

BUDDING engineers from the Piggott School in Wargrave took part in a technology challenge.

BUDDING engineers from the Piggott School in Wargrave took part in a technology challenge.

The year seven pupils competed in the Faraday Challenge, where they had to solve a range of engineering problems using a mini-computer called a micro:bit.

The students, who were divided into three teams of six, took on other schools in the area as well as a team of teachers. The teams were each given £80 of “Faraday money” to spend at a shop selling items such as hardware cable ties and pre-written codes.

After the challenge, the students pitched their results to a panel of judges who then chose the winner.

The winning team, from the Holt School in Wokingham, was presented with a trophy, a £10 Amazon gift card and micro:bit watches.

Piggott pupil Nathan Munns, 12, said: “We are all interested in technology so we wanted to take part. We were given a bit of help by an advisor but it didn’t work out so we didn’t pay him!”

Dr Keira Sewell, who ran the event, said: “We are always astounded at the willingness to have a go and the bravery and creativity of the students. Give kids a bit of technology and they play around with it until they find out how it works!

“We want to get children to consider careers in engineering. There’s a drive to get more software engineers because it isn’t all hard hats and hi-vis jackets.”